“Uhh…” I’m not sure I want to know more about that statement, including whether it’s from actual experience or just Violet being Violet.

“Not that I’ve had anal. I mean, obviously Alex wants to go where no man has gone before with more than a finger, but I’m still on the fence.” She moves her head a little and tries to get the straw in her mouth.

“I’m pretty sure that overshare was meant for Miller, not me.”

“Meh. You’re almost like an extension of each other for me now.” She takes a small sip of her juice. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure. But I reserve the right not to answer.”

“You ever try to get into Lily’s fire exit?”

“What?”

“Her access-denied hole. You ever try to pirate her door number two?”

“You’re asking if Lily and I have anal? Don’t you think it’s a little early in the morning to talk about this?”

“It’s never too early to talk about an Area 51 breach. Besides, I’m doing research. Based on the domes you two were using when you first started dating, I think you and Alex have comparable junk.”

“Yeah, I’m not answering that question.”

“That’s fine. I’ll ask Lily later.”

“Ask me what later?” Lily’s hair is still bed-messed. She’s wearing a pair of shorts and a tank. Based on the way her nipples are poking at the thin fabric, she’s not wearing a bra.

“Area 51 access,” Violet says. “Does Balls have it?”

“I’m not talking about that.” She raises her arms over her head and stretches up on her toes, exposing a sliver of stomach I want to lick. “Thanks for making sure I was watered before I fell asleep last night.”

“I wouldn’t want you to feel like this one.” I thumb over my shoulder at Violet, whose eyes are closed again.

She grunts. “Alex fed me aspirin before bed, but I don’t think I drank enough water.”

I pull Lily between my legs and skim her sides, accidentally brushing a nipple on my way up. She grabs my hand, but I’m fast, so I snag her wrist and drape her arm over my shoulder, pulling her in closer. At the tip of my chin she puts her ear to my mouth. “I can see your nipples through your shirt.”

“I can see yours, too,” she whispers back.

I glance down to check if that’s true. She pulls the arm of my tank to the side so one peeks out.

“Mine aren’t nearly as exciting as yours.”

“Can you two foreplay somewhere else? I’m trying to be hungover in peace,” Violet mutters.

Lily backs up a step. “Need any help over there, Sunny?”

“Nope.”

Lily gives me a questioning look, and I shrug, because I seriously have no idea. Sunny’s not usually one to be bitchy. That doesn’t seem to be the case this morning.

“Maybe Miller’s in the doghouse?” I whisper.

If he came to bed drunk, that could explain her less-than-sunny disposition.

Sunny crosses to the fridge and yanks on the door. She roughly opens a crisper, and the contents spill out all over the floor.

Violet groans and covers her ears. I jump up to catch the runaway lemons and a bag of grapes. Sunny bursts into tears.

Lily rushes over to put an arm around her. “Are you okay?”

“I think I’m going crazy!” she sobs.

Lily rubs circles on her back. “It’s just the hormones; you’re fine.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Last night Miller came to bed smelling like campfire and hot dogs. I haven’t eaten a hot dog since we went on that tour of the meat-packing factory when we were in grade three, remember that?”

Lily nods. “Of course I remember.”

“And they showed us how hot dogs are made? They tried to make me eat one, and I threw up all over the table.”

“It set off a chain reaction, and six other kids threw up too.”

“It was horrible. I was so traumatized. I had no idea what was in a hot dog.”

“I know you didn’t,” Lily says soothingly.

If Sunny wasn’t crying, I would be killing myself over this.

“Well, last night I liked the smell of hot dogs on Miller even though I know what they’re made of. It’s not even real meat! It’s leftovers. Every time Miller barbecues, I want to get him naked and lick the flavor off his body. I kissed him after he ate that steak last night without even making him brush his teeth first. What’s happening to me?”

“It’s probably your body telling you you need more iron,” Lily says.

I stay crouched on the floor, picking up scattered grapes and trying not to laugh.

“I wouldn’t even let him brush his teeth before he came to bed last night, and then he fell asleep on me before we could have sex!” This incites a fresh round of tears.

“I fell asleep on Alex while he was licking my beaver last night. He’s pretty mad at me for that,” Violet offers.

Okay. “I’m just gonna go—” I set the crisper on the counter with the beat-up fruit. This isn’t a conversation I need to be part of. Or want to be, for that matter.

I round the corner and find Lance outside, sitting on one of the Adirondack chairs. “I’m surprised you’re awake.”

“I’ve been up for a while. I was gonna go in and make coffee, but then I heard girl-crying and figured it was safer out here. Everything okay?”

“Yeah. No. But it’s hormones or whatever. Sunny’s having meat guilt.”

He clasps his hands behind his head. “Do I even want to know?”

“Probably not.”

“We’ll just let it go then. You think it’ll be clear to go in soon? I could really use coffee.”

“I’d give it another ten minutes. I don’t know how long pregnant crying fits last.”

Lance shakes his head. “I can’t imagine dealing with that. Miller’s gotta be some kind of saint to handle all the tears.”

I lean against the deck railing and consider that. “He’s a patient guy, and Sunny’s usually even, you know? People will put up with a lot from someone they care about, especially since this seems to be outside of her control.”

“Yeah, I can see that. I guess I’ve never had anyone give enough of a shit about me to want to put up with my crap for more than a few weeks.”